Lawyers study, explain, and apply laws to specific problems.

Lawyers work as:

• Judges
• Professors
• Public defenders
• Civil lawyers
• Trial lawyers

Lawyers are also called attorneys. They advise clients of their legal rights and suggest a course of action. They represent clients in court and present evidence to support their case. Many cases that go to trial are criminal cases. Criminal lawyers represent people who have been charged with a crime.

Trial lawyers

Trial lawyers spend most of their time researching clients' cases. They meet with clients to learn the facts. They examine the evidence to see if there is enough to pursue a lawsuit. They research previous cases and laws to find support for the case and to see what the possible outcomes might be. They interview witnesses and other people who have information important to clients' cases.

Lawyers develop strategies and arguments to write in the legal documents that they file with the court.

Lawyers select jurors and ask witnesses questions during trials. They summarize their case at the end of the trial, and try to convince juries to see their side of the argument. They explain the decision to clients once the case is settled. They interpret the laws and rules as they apply to the case.

Lawyers often try to settle cases before they go to court. They may negotiate the amount of settlements in civil cases.

Civil lawyers

Civil lawyers rarely go to court. They handle cases that do not require going to trial. They prepare wills, contracts, and business deals.

Civil lawyers also research clients' cases. They learn about the contract, will, or the business deal. Some contracts and wills are straightforward and require little work. Other contracts are more complicated. Civil lawyers may examine public records to establish ownership of property.

Many lawyers supervise other legal employees, including legal assistants, paralegals, first year lawyers, and law clerks.